High temperature well packer apparatus



6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

June 14, 1966 J. F. MUSE HIGH TEMPERATURE WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed March ll, 1965 June 14, 1966 .1. F. MUSE HIGH TEMPERATURE WELL PACKER APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March ll, 1963 INVENTOR Lfd/ew I7. .Muff

,4free/frs ffrlf! June 14, 1966 J. F. MUSE HIGH TEMPERATURE WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed March ll. 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. f z//I/E MUSE Y 71mm @4 /E/WM/ 4T raaf/5 y:

June 14, 1966 J. F. MUSE HIGH TEMPERATURE WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed March ll, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

EG. 11a.

June 14, 1966 J. F. MUSE 3,256,437

HIGH TEMPERATURE WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed March ll, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 RG. 14 a. lm. 14

fN/ l 1 |l4"\ `-40 1 `.53 39 B# 38 EG. 15.

INVENTOR. J4-\ rfa/w I7. M035 June 14, 1966 J. F. MUSE HIGH TEMPERATURE WELL PACKER APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March ll, 1963 INVENTOR. raA/A/ I7: M055 United safes Patent office 3,255,437 Patented .lune I4, 1955 3,256,437 HIGH TEMPERATURE WELL PACKER APPARATUS John F. Muse, Whittier, Calif., assigner to Baker Oil gools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Caliorma Filed Max. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 264,322 32 Claims. (Cl. 166-139) The present invention .relates to subsurface well equipment, and more particularly to packer -apparatus adapted to be set in well bores.

Well packers are used in well bores in connection with tubular strings extending to the surface. -In some well bores, the packers and the tubular strings associated therewith are subject to comparatively high temperatures, as, Afor example, about 400 F. to about 700 F., 'and also to extensive temperature changes. Such high temperatures and temperature variations oftentimes result in leaking or failure of the packers.

An object of the present invention is to provide well packer apparatus to be associated with a tubular string and capable of remaining in leakproof set condition in a well bore despite the subjecting of the packer apparatus and tubular string to comparatively high temperatures and to large temperature variations, which will produce extensive expansion and contraction of the tubular string and also of parts of the Well packer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well packer embodying a packing structure for sealing against the wall of a conduit string, such 'as well casing, disposed in a well bore, in which the packing structure can be re'- tightened against the conduit string wall at any time to prevent or to eliminate fluid leakage.

A further object of the invention is to provide well packer apparatus to be disposed in a Well bore in association with a tubular string, and in which .a packing is provided between the tubular string 'and packer to prevent fluid leakage therebetween, the packing being adapted for tightening at any time to prevent or eliminate leakage.

An additional object of the invention is to provide Well packer apparatus to be disposed in a well-bore in association with a tubular string, embodying an external packing structure for sealing against the wall of the conduit string disposed in the well bore, and in which an internal packing structure is provided between the tubular string and packer, the respective packing structures being adapted for separate tightening at any time to prevent or eliminate fluid leakage.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide well packer apparatus to be disposed in a well bore in association with `a tubular string, in which a packing is provided -between the tubular string and packer that is initially in a retracted position and which can be expanded, when desired, to prevent fluid leakage. At any time thereafter, the packing can be retightened to insure against or to eliminate iinid leakage.

Still -a further object of the invention is to provide well packer apparatus Iadapted to be set in a well bore and capable of withstanding comparatively high temperatures,

the packer being releasable from the well bore and Ietrievable to the surface'of the hole.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and h-as other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES 1a and lb together constitute a longitudinal section through a well packer apparatus in association wit-h a tubular string, with its parts conditioned for lowering the apparatus in a well casing, or corresponding c'onduit string, disposed in the well bore, FIG. 1b constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the upper mandrel and body lock portion of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. la;

FIG. 3 is .an enlarged side elevational view of the slip lock portion of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1a;

FIGS. 4a and 4b together constitute a longitudinal section through the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. la and 1b, with the packer anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing, FIG. 4b constituting .a lower continuation of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational View of the mandrel and body lock portion of the apparatus, with the parts disposed in the positions they occupy in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational View of the slip lock portion of the apparatus, with the parts arranged in the relative position they occupy when the slips are expanded, as in the position illustrated in FIG. 4b;

FIGS. 7a and 7b are views corresponding .to FIGS. 4a and 4b, respectively, illustrating the mandrel packed oft' against the wall of the packer body, FIG. 7b constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational View of the mandrel and body lock portion of the apparatus in the released condition, permitting movement of the mandrel within t-he body to the position illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the coupling or clutch portion of the apparatus in the position shown in FIG. 7a lfor enabling the mandrel packing to be expanded against the wall of the packer body;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the slip lock por- .mandrel and body lock portion of the apparatus in the disengaged condition illustrated in FIG. 11a;

FIG. 13 is the same side elevational view of the slip lock portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 10, disclosing the relative positions of the parts occupied in FIG. 11b;

FIGS. 14a and l4b together constitute a longitudinal section through the apparatus illust-rated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, disclosing the well packer released from its anchored and packed-oit condition. FIG. 1'4b constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 14a;

FIG. l5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the mandrel and body lock portion of the apparatus, with the parts in the position they occupy in FIG. 14a;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the slip lock structure illustrating the relative position of their parts shown in FIG. 14b;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section of a portion of the anchoring structure, with the parts in the position disclosed in FIG. lea;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 18-18 on FIG. la;v

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 19-19 0n FIG. 1a;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 20-20 on FIG. 1a;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 21-21 on FIG. 1b.

As illustrated in the drawings, a well packer apparatus A is provided of the lretrievable type, which is adapted to be lowered through a string of well casing B, disposed in a well bore, on a tubular string C, such as a string of tubing or drill pipe, to a desired setting location in .the well casing.

The well packer apparatus A includes a tubular body through which an inner tubular member or mandrel 11 extends, the upper end of this mandrel being suitably secured to an adjacent section of the tubular string C extending to the top of the hole in any suitable manner, as by means of an intervening coupling 12. The body 10 has a cylindrical passage 13 extending :completely therethrough, the mandrel vbeing adapted to be sealed against the body wall to prevent leakage between the mandrel and body. As shown, the inner mandrel or tubular member 11 includes an elongate upper section 14, the lower end of which is threadedly secured to a coupling or clutch member 15, which, in turn, is threadedly attached to the upper end of a lower mandrel section 16 of extended length adapted to project downwardly below a lower guide 17 of the packer to a substantial distance, this lower guide and thrust member 17 being threadedly attached to the lower end of the body by means of a right-hand threaded connection 18.

The coupling or clutch member serves as the lower abutment for a packing sleeve 19 surrounding the mandrel, the upper end of the sleeve being engaged by an upper abutment 20, in the form of a nut member or clutch member, threaded onto the upper mandrel section 14 by a left-hand threaded connection 21. The upper clutch member 20 has one or a plurality of recesses 22 in its upper end adapted to receive a companion clutch member, described hereinafter, for the purpose of threading the clutch member 20 downwardly along the mandrel 11 toward the other abutment member 15 to shorten the packing 19 and compress it outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the packer body 10, and also into sealing engagement with the periphery of the mandrel. Initially, it is preferred that the packing 19 be retracted from the body wall to a slight extent, such as disclosed in FIG. 4b, so as to facilitate movement of the mandrel 11 within the packer body 10.

The guide and thrust member 17 is initially threaded on the lower end of the body 10 to occupy an uppermost position thereon. The upper portion of the guide or thrust member encompasses a stop ring 23 threaded on the body immediately below a reduced lexternal diameter portion 24 of the body. The upper end of the guide member engages a lower thrust ring 25, which, in turn, engages the smaller end of a frusto-conical extrusion preventing ring 26 made of aluminum, mild steel, or other deformable metal, the large end of which engages a second thrust ring 27 disposed at the lower end of a packing sleeve 28, which is initially retracted and which has substantial clearance with the wall of the casing, as shown in FIGS. 1a and lb. The upper end of this packing sleeve 28 engages an upper thrust ring 29, which, in tum, contacts the large end of a frusto-conical extrusion preventing ring 30, which can be made of the same material as the lower ring 26, the upper end of this extrusion preventing ring engaging the lower end of an expander 31 having a counterbore portion 32 encompassing a split stop ring 33 mounted in a peripheral groove 34 in the packer body 10. The upper portion of the expander 31 has an internal left-hand thread 35 meshing with companion external left-hand thread 36 on the body, the axial extent of the expander threaded portion being much less than the axial extent of the left-hand body thread 36. The upper portion 37 of the expander is frustoconical or tapered in shape, converging in an upward direction and adapted to coact with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slip members 38 of a slip assembly 39 carried by the body 1G and initially held in an upper position spaced from the expander 31.

The slip device 39 includes a slip carrier or sleeve 40, which may be made of two parts threaded together, initially located on the body 10 in an upper position against a downwardly facing body shoulder 41. This sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots 42 therein (FIG. 17), each of which contains a slip member or device 38'. The slip device 38 includes an upper drag portion 43 and a lower anchor portion 44 provided with external teeth 45 facing in an upward direction. Each drag portion 43 is forced outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing B by a helical compression spring 46 mounted within a socket 47 in the drag portion and bearing against the base of the companion groove or slot 42 in the sleeve 40. Outward movement of the slip 38 under the influence of the spring 46 is limited by engagement of an upper projection 43 on each slip member with a depending skirt 49 on the sleeve. Disassembly of the slip member 38 from the sleeve is prevented by a ring 50 encompassing all of the slips and disposed in a groove 51 in their midportions, the ring being engageable with a ange 52 'projecting thereunder and integral with the slipsleeve itself. Each anchor portion 44 includes an inner expander surface 44a tapering in an upward and inward direction and engageable by the expander portion 37 for the purpose of rocking the slips outwardly to embed their wickers or teeth in the wall of the well casing B.

As shown in FIGS. la and 3, the slip structure is at rst retained in its upper position on the body by a slip pin 53 mounted in the sleeve 40 and projecting inwardly of the body and under the downwardly facing body shoulder 41 and against a vertical body wall 54 forming the vertical member of an L-shaped hook 55 extending under the slip lock pin, as disclosed in FIG. 3. Downward movement of the body 10 will result in the slip pin 53 remaining in the position illustrated in FIGS. la and 3, since the pin will engage the shoulder 41. If the body were to move upwardly, the slip assembly 39 would tend to remain in position within the casing B until the hook 55 engages the pin 53, whereupon upward movement of the body would carry the slip assembly 39 upwardly with it, the drag portions 43 of the slips merely sliding along the wall of the casing. Turning of the body 10 in the proper direction, as to the right, removes the hook 55 from its position under the slip pin 53, Whereupon elevation of the body will carry the expander 31 upwardly with it toward the slips 38, engagement of the expander with the anchor portions 44 of the slips rocking and expanding the latter outwardly against the wall of the well casing B.

The mandrel 11 is initially retained in the body 10 in the position disclosed in FIGS. 1a and 1b by a shear screw 57 interconnecting the body and mandrel. The

' mandrel and body can be releasably secured or locked in several dilferent positions by a mandrel and lock coupling or lock device 5S, including one or a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial lock pins 59 on the body projecting inwardly into a slot structure 60 in the mandrel 11. As shown, the mandrel 11 has a pair of inclined guide surfaces 61, 62 merging toward each other and terminating in a lower inclined entrance portion 63 of the slot structure, such entrance portion communicating with an upper vertical lock groove 64 having an upper end wall 65. The lower end of the vertical lock portion or groove 64 communicates with a downwardly inclined interconnecting or intermediate slot portion 66 defined partly by a lower guide wall 67 extending downwardly in a direction away from the entrance slot portion 63, the intermediate slot portion opening into a lower vertical slot portion 68 terminating in a lower end wall 69. The mandrel 11 is free of obstructions immediately above the lower vertical slot portion 68 and has an upwardly inclined guide wall 70 in diverging relation to a second upwardly inclined guide Wall 71.

The slot structure 60 is so arranged that a pin 59 can occupy a lock or coupling position 1 in the upper vertical slot 64, being shifted relatively therefrom through the intermediate slot portion 66 into the lower vertical slot 68. The pin can move relatively from this second position 2 upwardly from the lower vertical slot 68 to a released position from the mandrel, which is the No. 3 position illustrated in FIGS. l2 and l5, for example. The pin 59 can also be shifted relatively between the No. 1 position and a No. 4 position below the slot structure, passing therebetween through the entrance portion 63 of the slot, and to a position released from the slot structure 60. In shifting from the No. 1 to the No. 2 position, the mandrel is suitably manipulated by elevating it and rotating it to the left, so that the pin relatively moves along thevdiagonal slot portion 61 to the No. 2 position. Lowering of the mandrel will then relatively shift the coupling or lock pin from the No. 2 position to the No. 3 position. Appropriate turning and elevating of the mandrel will shift the pin from the No. 3 to the No. 2 position, aided by the inclined guide walls 70, 71; whereas, turning of the mandrel to the right and its lowering will reshift the pin from the No. 2 position to the No. 1 position. Elevation and turning of the mandrel to the right will relatively shift the lock pin from the No. 1 position through the entrance slot 63 to the No. 4 position. If desired, the mandrel 11 can be shifted with respect to the body to variously locate the pin 59 relative to its slot structure 60.

The lower coupling or clutch member 15 has one or a plurality of axial grooves 75 thereon adapted to receive one or a plurality of coupling pins 76 secured to and extending upwardly from the guide and thrust member 17. The clutching of the coupling member 15 to the guide and thrust member 17 is only required when the well packer A is to be released from the well casing B.

The parts of the apparatus are first arranged in the positions illustrated in FIGS. la and lb, in which the packing structure 28 on the exterior of the body 10 is retracted, the mandrel packing 19 also being slightly retracted with respect to the body wall. The shear screw 57 is intact and the upper coupling or clutch pin 59 is disposed in the upper vertical groove 64 of the slot 6). The slip assembly 39 is also in its locked position with respect to the body 10 of the tool. The apparatus A is lowered in the well casing B on the tubular string C until the setting location is reached. The tubular string is then turned to the right, which will etfect a turning of the mandrel 11 and body 1t) relative to the slip structure 39, the movement of which is resisted by the friction of the blocks 43 against the wall of the well casing. Such turning of the tubular string, mandrel and body to the right rotates the slip hook 55 from its position under the pin 53, releasing the slip structure 39 from the body 10. The tubular string C, mandrel 11 and body 10 are now elevated, which will elevate all portions of the tool, with the exception of the slip structure, in the casing B, bringing the expander 31, 37 under the anchor portions 44 of the slips 3S and rocking the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing.

An upward strain is now taken on the tubular string C and mandrel 11. Since the expander 31 cannot move upwardly, in view of its being wedged behind the slips 38, the body 10 threaded thereto also is incapable of upward movement. The taking of a suicient upward strain will now shear the screw or screws 57 securing .the body to the mandrel 11 and will result in upward movement of the mandrel with respect to the body, the mandrel moving upwardly and being turned by the lower tapered surface 67 of the intercommunicating mandrel passage 66 so that the coupling pin 59 enters the vertical coupling slot portion 68 of the upper lock device (No. 2 position), thereby coupling the mandrel 11 to the body 10. The

tubular string C and mandrel 11 are now rotated to the right, to rotate the body 10 within the expander 31, the latter being prevented from turning by being wedged behind the slips 38. During such turning, an upward strain is maintained on the tubular string C and mandrel 11, resulting in upward threading of the body 10 within the expander, which will carry the lower guide and abutment 17 upwardly toward the lower end of the expander 31, shortening the packing structure and effecting its compression and expansion outwardly against the wall of the well casing. The extrusion preventing rings 26, 30 are deformed and flattened into engagement with the periphery of the body 10 and also the wall of the well casing B, as shown in FIG. 4b, fully bridging the annular space 80 between the expander 31 and casing B, and also between the lower thrust ring 25 and casing, -to prevent cold Howing of packing material through such spaces. Sufficient torque is imposed on the tubular string C and mandrel 11 to .insure a rm and secure contact of the packing material 28 against the wall of the casing B and the periphery of the body 10, so that novleakage therebetween occurs. The parts are now in the position illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the packer body 10 being anchored in packedott condition in the well casing B.

The tubular string C and mandrel 11 are now lowered a slight distance, and turned to the right during the lowering action, to relatively feed the upper coupling pin 59 from the No. 2 position back to the No. l position, The tubular string C and mandrel 11 are then elevated slowly and the turning to the right continued, to relatively feed the coupling pin 59 from the No. l position to the No. 4 position, in elect uncoupling or disconnecting the mandrel 11 from the packer body 10. The mandrel 11 can now be elevated to a substantial extent for the purpose of bringing the packing nut or clutch member 20 into coupling engagement with the upper pin 59, as disclosed in FIGS. 7a and 9, the pin being received in the nut member recess or groove 22, thereby preventing the nut member 20 from rotating. The tubular string C and mandrel 11 are now turned to the right, and in view of the lefthand threaded connection 21 between the nut and mandrel, the mandrel 11 will thread upwardly along the nut 20, assisted by maintaining an upward tension on the tubular string C and mandrel 11, to shift the lower coupling 15 toward the nut 20, which will shorten the mandrel packing 19 and expand it outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the body 10, as well as against the periphery of the mandrel (FIGS. 7a, 7b). Not only has the packer body 1li been anchored in packedof condition in the well casing, but the mandrel 11 has also been iirmly sealed against the wall of the body 10 to prevent leakage of fluid therebetween.

A desired operation can now be performed in the well bore. As an example, high pressure steam under high temperature can be injected through the tubular string C and the mandrel 11 into the well bore. This steam may have a temperature ranging as high as about 700 F., and even higher. As a result of elevating the temperature of the entire tubing string C and of some of the packer parts, the tubular string will elongate substantially. However, the mandrel 11 can readily accommodate such elongation by shifting downwardly within the packer body, the mandrel packing 19 sliding along the wall of the packer body. If the temperature of the tubular string C decreases and the latter contracts, the mandrel 11 permits such contraction by sliding upwardly within the packer body 10. If at any time leakage develops in the mandrel packing 19, it is only necessary to elevate the tubular string and place the mandrel clutch member 20 in coupling engagement with the pin 59 again, and the mandrel 11 turned an additional amount to the right to feed the mandrel upwardly and further compress the packing 19 between the member 15 and 20 and between the mandrel and body walls. Similarly, in the event that leakage occurs around the body packing structure 28, or if such leakage is to be forestalled, it is only necessary to relocate the mandrel 11 within the body 10 with `the body coupling pin 59 again disposed in the lower vertical slot 68, whereupon turning of the tubular string C and the mandrel 11 to theright, while maintaining an upward pull or tension on the ltubular string, will rotate the bodyy 10 within the expander 31 and pull the body and guide 17 upwardly relative to the expander 31, to further shorten and compress the packing 28, maintaining its efficient sealing against the casing wall and against the periphery of the body 11).

The external packing 28 on the body 10 and the mandrel packing 19 can be made of a suitable material capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures, as well as high pressures, or both. An example of such packing material is shredded asbestos, which has been compacted to the desired initial shape in a mold and then wrapped in a suitable plastic covering, such as sheet vinyl plastic. Such packing will retain its initial retracted form, but is still capable of being shortened or compressed and expanded outwardly into sealing engagement with opposing walls against which it bears.

In the event the well packer A is to be retracted, the tubular string C is lowered to lower the mandrel 11 Within the body 10 and the pin 59 placed relatively in the No. 3 position above the mandrel lock slot structure. The lower end of the coupling 15 is coupled yto the body guide 17 by shifting the nut 15 into a position in which the coupling pin 76 enters the end recess or groove 75. The tubular string and mandrel can now be rotated to the right with respect to the body 10, the guide 17 also being rotated therewith to the right and threading downwardly along the body 1t), because of its right-hand threaded interconnection 18 therewith, yto shift the guide 17Y downwardly away from the expander 31, which will allow the external packing structure 28 to relax as a result of removing the compressive force thereon, and result in its partial or slight retraction from the wall of the well casing B (FIGS. 11a, 11b). Such retraction may not be extensive in view of the relatively inelastic character of the asbestos material of which the packing sleeve 28 is primarily composed. However, it is sufficient to secure release of the packing structure 28 from the wall of the well casing. The turning of the tubular string C, mandrel 11 and guide 17 will continue until the guide completely unthreads from the body 10 and drops down along the mandrel to a position limited by engagement of the lower end of the guide with a stop member or nut 90 threaded on the lower end of the mandrel 11. Downward movement of the tubular string C and mandrel 11 should also now result in downward movement of the body 10 of the tool and expander 31, the expander shifting downwardly with respect to the slips 3S, the springs 46 rocking the slips to a position in which their anchor portions 44 are no longer in engagement with the casing wall. Down- Ward movement of the body can occur until the slip ring pin 53 engages the body shoulder 41, the mandrel 11 and body 1t) then being turned to place the hook 55 under this pin, in order to again couple the slip structure 39 to the body l@ of the tool and prevent upward movement of the expander 31 relative to the slips, which would reexpand the latter against the casing.

In the event that the expander 31 does not readily release from the slips 38, the mandrel 11 can be moved upwardly to again place the upper coupling pin 59 in the lower vertical slot 68 or No. 2 position illustrated in FIG. 2, thereby coupling the body to the mandrel. The tubular string C, mandrel and body are then turned to the right, which will thread the body 10 upwardly of the expander 31 `until a complete threaded disconnection therebetween occurs, the expander 31 dropping downwardly until its lower thread turn engages the stop ring 33 on the body, as shown in FIG. 14b. Removal of restraint from the anchor portions 44 of the slips 38 will cause the springs 46 to rock the slips and release their teeth 45 from the well casing B, shifting the anchor portions 44 to their retracted position. If the expander 31 still does not release from the slips 38, a downward jarring action on the mandrel 11 can take place to bring a jar nut 91 on the upper end of the mandrel into engagement with the upper end of the body 10, the jarring action on the body being transmitted from its lower threaded turn 36 to the upper end of the expander 31 to jar or force it downwardly from behind the slips 38, or to a retracted position. Such downward jarring movement will also shift ythepacking structure 28 downwardly along the body 10 of the tool and into engagement with the stop ring 23 threaded on the body, in which position the packing structure surrounds the reduced diameter portion 24 of the body (FIGS. 14a, 14h). If there is any tendency of the packing 28 to bind against the casing wall, the relieving ofthe outward force on the packing structure, as a result of placing it along the reduced diameter portion 24 of the body, will allow sucient retraction of the packing structure to occur and removal of the apparatus from the well casing. To effect removal, an upward pull need merely be taken on the mandrel 11. If the lock pin 59 is in the No. 2 position, the mandrel 11 and body 10 will move upwardly as a unit, carrying the guide 17, the packing structure 28, expander 31 and slip assembly 39 upwardly with it. The slip assembly will either be locked in an upward position on the body 10 by reason of engagement of the hook 55 with the slip coupling pin 53, or the pin 53 will engage the upper body thread 36, as shown in FIG. l4b. The entire apparatus A can now be elevated in the well casing B and withdrawn at the surface of the hole.

I claim:

1. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; an expander engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; and means interconnecting said body and expander whereby rotation of said body within said expander shifts said body longitudinally of said expander to shift said abutment means toward said expander to expand said packing structure against the conduit.

2. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means movable longitudinally and without rotation in the well bore to shift said expander means and slip instrumentalities relative to each other to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; and means interconnecting said body and one of said means whereby rotation of said body, after expansion of said slip instrumentalities against the conduit, shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit.

3. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed ina well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; an expander engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body lhaving one end portion engaging said expander; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; and a thread on said body meshing with a thread on said expander whereby rotation of said body within said expander shifts said abutment means toward said expander to expand said packing structure against the conduit.

4. In a well packer adapted to -be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of 'said packing structure; means movable longitudinally and Without rotation in the well bore to shift said expander means and slip instrumentalities relative to each other to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; and a threaded interconnection between said body and one of said means whereby rotation of said body, after expansion of said slip instrumentalities against the conduit, shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit.

5. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; an initially retracted packing structure on said body; upper and lower abutment members on said body engaging the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said packing structure; means securing one of said abutment members to said body against longitudinal movement with respect thereto; and means interconnecting said body and the other of said abutment members whereby rotation of said body shifts said one abutment member toward the other abutment member to expand said packing structure against the conduit.

6. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in `a well bore: a body; an initially retracted packing structure on said body; upper and lower abutment members on said body engaging the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said packing structure; means securing one of said abutment members to said body against `longitudinal movement with respect thereto; and a threaded interconnection between said body and the other of said abutment members whereby rotation of said body shifts said one abutment member toward the other abutment member to expand said packing structure against the conduit.

7. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; means releasably locking said slip instrumentalities to said-body; expander means on said body engageable with said slip inst-numentalities; means interconnecting said expander means and body whereby longitudinal movement of said body in one direction shifts said expander means into engagment with said slip instrumentalities, following release of said locking means, to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; said interconnecting means being so constructed and arranged as to be responsive to rotation of said body to shift said body longitudinally .along said expander means and said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit.

8. In a well tool adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in Ia well bore: body means having a passage; normally retracted instrumentalities on said body means; instrumentalities on said body means engageable with said normally retracted instrumentalities for expanding said normally retracted instrumentalities against the conduit; mandrel means in said body passage; a packing structure in said passage between said mandrel means and -body means; a iirst abutment on one of said means engaging an end portion of said packing structure; a second abutment on one of said means engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; and means for moving said second abutment toward said first abutment to shorten said packing structure and seal said structure against said body means and mandrel means.

9. In a well tool adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body having a passage; normally retracted means on said body; means on said body engageable with said normally retracted means for expanding said normally retracted means :against the conduit; a mandrel in said body passage; a packing structure in said passage between said mandrel land body; a first abutment on said mandrel engaging an end portion of said packing structure; ya second abutment on ,said mandrel engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; and means for moving said second abutment toward said rst abutment to shorten said packing structure and seal said structure against said body and mandrel.

10. In -a well tool adapted -to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body having a passage; normally 4retracted means on said body; means on said body engageable with said normally retracted means for expanding said normally retracted means against the conduit; a mandrel in said body passage; a packing structure in said passage between said mandrel and body; a irst abutment on said mandrel engaging an end portion of said packing structure; a second abutment on said mandrel engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means onsaid body engageable with -said iirst `abutment to prevent its rotation; and means interconnecting said mandrel with said rst abutment whereby rotation of said mandrel shifts said second abutment toward said rst abutment to shorten said packing structure and seal said structure against said body and mandrel.

11. In a well tool adapted to beset in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body having a passage; normally retracted means on said body; means on said body engageable with said normally retracted means -for expanding said normally retracted means Vagainst the conduit; a mandrel in said body passage; a packing. structure in said passage between said mandrel and body; a Iirst abutment on said mandrel engaging an end portion of said packling structure; a second abutment on said mandrel engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; -releasable clutch means on said body and rst abutment to prevent rotation of said rst abutment when said clutch means is engaged; and a threaded interconnection between said mandrel and Ifirst abutment whereby rotation of said mandrel with said clutch means engaged shifts said second abutment toward said rst abutment to shorten said packing structure and seal said structure against said body and mandrel.

12. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion eng-aging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end port-ion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and expander rmeans whereby rotation of said body within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means releasably connecting said abutment means to said body, 4whereby release of said releasable means `allows said abutment means to move away from said expander means to release said packing structure from the conduit.

13. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: -a body; slip instrumentalitieson said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said. slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing struct-ure'on said body having one end portion engaging said expander mean; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting saidl body and expander means whereby rotation of said body within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means releasably connecting said abutment means to said body, whereby release of said releasable means allows said abutment means to move away from said expander means to release said packing struct-ure `from the conduit; said body having la reduced diameter portion to which said packing structure can move after movement of said abutment means away from said expander means.

14. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable ywith said slip instru- -mentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an linitially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said `body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and one of said means whereby rotation of said -body shifts said abutment means toward said expander means yto expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means releasably connecting said abutment means to said body, whereby release of said releasable means allows said abutment means to moveaway from said expander means to release said packing structure from .the conduit.

15. In a well packer adapted to be set in a condui-t disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; expandermeans engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against .the conduit; an iniitally retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and one of said means whereby rotation of said body shifts said abutment means ,toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means releasably connecting said abutment means to said body, whereby release of said releasable means allows said abutment means lto move away from said expander means to release said packing structure from the conduit; said body having a reduced diameter portion to which said packing structure can move after movement of said abutment means away from said expander means.

16. In a Well packer adapted -to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip .instrumentalities against the conduit; an intially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and expander means whereby rotation of said body within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means threadedly `connecting said abutment means to said body, whereby rotation of said abutment means threads it on said body away from said expander means to release said packing structure from the conduit.

17. In a well packer adapted to vbe set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities ,to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body `and expander means whereby rotation of said body within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means threadedly connecting said abutment means to said body, whereby rotation of said abutment means threads it on said body away from said expander means =to release said packing structure from the conduit; said body having a reduced diameter portion to which said packing structure can move after movement of said abutment means away from said expander means.

18. In a well packer apparatus adapted -to `be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: -a body having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said `body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and expander means whereby rotation of said body within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; a mandrel movable in said passage and adapted lto be connecte-d to a tubular running-in string; and disconnectible coupling means connecting said mandrel to said body, whereby rotation and longitudinal movement of said mandrel is transmittable to -said body, said coupling means being disconnectible to allow said mandrel to move relative to said body.

19. In `a well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instnlmentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and one of said means whereby rotation of said body shifts said labutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; a mandrel movable in said passage and adapted to lbe connected to a tubular runningin string; and disconnectible coupling means connecting said mandrel to said body, whereby rotation and longitudinal movement of said mandrel ris transmitted yto said body, said coupling means being disconnected to allow said mandrel to move relative to said body.

20. In -a well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: .a body having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted packing structure on `said body having one end portion engaging said expander means; .abutment means on said body engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and expander means whereby rotation of said body within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; means releasably connecting said abutment means .to said body, whereby release of said releasable means allows said abutment means to move away from said expander means to release said packing structure from the conduit; a mandrel movable in said passage and adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string; disconnectible couplings means connecting said mandrel to said body, whereby rotation and longitudinal movement of said mandrel is transmitted to said body; means connecting said abutment means to said body whereby rotation of said abutment means with respect to said body moves said abutment Ameans away from said expander means; and disconnectible coupling means adapted to connect said mandrel Ito said .abutment means to transmit rotation of said mandrel to said 'abutment means.

21. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in Ia well bore: a body; an initially retracted packing structure on said body; upper and lower abutment means on said body engaging the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and one of said abutment means whereby rotation of said body shifts said one abutment means ytoward the other abutment means to expand said packing struct-ure against the conduit; and means releas- 13 ably connecting said other abutment means to said bod whereby release of said releasable means allows said other abutment means to move away from said one abutment means to release said packing structure from the conduit.

22. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; an initially retracted packing structure on said body; upper and lower abutment means on said body engaging the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said packing structure; lmeans interconnecting said body and one of said abutment means ywhereby rotation of said body shifts said one abutment means tolward the other abutment means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means releasably connecting said other abutment means to said body whereby release of said yreleasa'ble means allows said other abutment means to move away from said one abutment means .to release said packing structure from' the conduit; said body having a reduced diameter portion to which said packing structure can move after movement of said other abutment means away from said one abutment means.

23. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body; an initially retracted packing structure on said body; upper and lower abutment means on said body engaging the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and one of said abutment means whereby rotation of said body shifts said one abutment means toward the other abutment means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; and means threadedly connecting said other abutment means to said -body whereby rotation of said other abutment means threads it on said body away from said one abutment means to release said packing structure from the conduit.

24. In a well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body having a passage; an initially retracted packing structure on said body; upper and lower abutment means on said lbody engaging the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body and one of said abutment means whereby rotation of said body shifts said one abutment means Vtoward the other abutment means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; means threadedly connecting said other abutment means to said body whereby rotation of said other abutment means threads it on said body away from said one abutment means to release said packing structure from the conduit; a mandrel movable in said passage and adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string; disconneotible coupling means connecting said mandrel to said body whereby rotation and longitudinal movement of said mandrel is transmitted to said body; and disconnectible coupling means for connecting said mandrel to said other abutment means for transmitting rota-ry movemen-t of said mandrel to said other abutment means.

25. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body member; expander instrumentalities engagea'ble with said slip instrumentalities "to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit;

a mandrel member in said passage; an external initially retracted packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander instrumentalities; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body member and expander instrumentalities -whereby rotation of said body member within said expander instrumentalities shifts said abutment means toward said expander instrumentalities to expand said packing structure against the conduit; an internal packing structure in said passage between said mand-rel member and body member; a rst abutment on one of said members engaging an end portion of said internal packing structure; a second abutment on one of said members engaging the other end portion of said internal packing structure; and means for moving said second abutment toward said first abutment to shorten said internal packing structure and seal said interna-l packing structure against said body member and mandrel member.

26. In fa well packer adapted to be se-t in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body member; expander instrumentalities engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; a mandrel member in said passage; an external initially retracted packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander instrumentalities; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body member and expander instrumentalities whereby rotation of said body member within said expander instrumentalities shifts said abutment means toward said expander instrumentalities to expand said packing structure against the conduit; an inner packing structure in said passage between said mandrel member and body member; a first abutment on said mandrel member engaging an end portion of said inner packing structure; a second abutment on said mandrel member engaging the other end portion of said inner packing structure; and means for moving said second abutment toward said first abutment to shorten said inner packing structure and seal said inner packing structure against said body member and mandrel member.

27. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage; sl-ip ins-trumentalities on said body member; expander instrumentalities engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; a mandrel member in said passage; an external initially retracted packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander instrumentalities; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end-portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body member and expander instrumentalities whereby rotation of said body member within said expander instrumentalities shifts said abutment means toward said expander instrumentalities to expand said packing structure against the conduit; an

inner packing structure in said passage between said4 mandrel means and body member; a first abutment on said mandrel member engaging an end portion of said inner packing structure; a second abutment on said mandrel member engaging the other end portion of said inner packing structure; means on said body member engageable with said rst abutment to prevent rotation of said rst abutment; and means'interconnec-ting said mandrel member with said rst abutment whereby rotation of said mandrel member shifts said second abutment toward said rst abutment to shorten said inner packing structure and seal said inner packing s-tructure against said body member and mandrel member.

28. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body member; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted outer packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body member and expander means whereby rotation of said body member within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; means releasably connecting said abutment means to said body member, whereby release of said releasable means allows said abutment means to move away from said expander means to release said packing structure from the conduit; a mandrel member in said body member passage; an inner packing structure in said passage between said mandrel member and body member;

a first abutment on one of said members engaging an end portion of saidinner packing structure; a second abutment on one of said members engaging the other end portion of said inner packing structure; and means for moving said second abutment toward said `first abutment to shorten said inner packing structure and seal said inner packing structure against said body member and mandrel member.

29. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore; a `body member having .a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body member; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted outer packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end portion of said packing s-tructure; means interconnecting said body member and expander means whereby rotation of said body member within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; means releasably connecting said abutment means to said body member, whereby release of said releasable means allows said abutment means to move away from said expander means to release said packing structure from the conduit; a mandrel member in said body member passage; an inner packing structure in said passage between said mandrel member and body member; a first abutment on one of sa-id members engaging an end portion of said inner packing structure; a second abutment on one of said members engaging the other end portion of said inner packing structure; means on said body member engageable with said first abutment to prevent its rotation; and means interconnecting said mandrel member with said first abutment whereby rotation of said mandrel member shifts said second abutment toward said first abutment to shorten said inner packing structure and seal said inner packing structure against said body member and mandrel member.

30. `In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body member; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted outer packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body member and expander means whereby rotation of said body member within said ex pander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; means threadedly connecting said abutment means to said body member, whereby rotation of said abutment means threads it on said body member away from said expander means to release said packing structure from the conduit; a mandrel member in said body member passage; an inner packing structure in said passage between said mandrel member and body member; a first Iabutment on said mandrel member engaging an end portion of said inner packing structure; a second abutment on said mandrel member engaging the other end portion of said inner packing structure; means on said body member engageable with said rst abutment to prevent its rotation; and means interconnecting said mandrel member with said first abutment whereby rotation of said mandrel member shifts said second abutment toward said first abutment to. shorten said inner packing structure and seal said inner packing structure against said body member and mandrel member.

31. In a well packer apparatus adapted to -be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body member; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the condui-t; an initially retracted outer packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body member and expander means whereby rotation of said body member within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; a mandrel member movable in said passage and adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string; disconnectible coupling means connecting said mandrel member to said body member, whereby rotat-ion and longitudinal movement of said mandrel member is transmittable to said body member, said coupling means being disconnectible to allow said mandrel member to move relative to said body member; an inner packing structure in said passage between said mandrel member and body member; a first abutment on one of said members engaging an end portion of said inner packing structure; a second abutment on one of said members engaging the other end portion of said inner packing structure; and means for moving said second abutment toward said first abutment to shorten said inner packing structure and seal said inner packing structure against said body member and mandrel member.

32. In a well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore: a body member having a passage; slip instrumentalities on said body member; expander means engageable with said slip instrumentalities to expand said slip instrumentalities against the conduit; an initially retracted outer packing structure on said body member having one end portion engaging said expander means; abutment means on said body member engaging the other end portion of said packing structure; means interconnecting said body member and expander means -whereby rotation of said body member within said expander means shifts said abutment means toward said expander means to expand said packing structure against the conduit; a mandrel member movable in said passage and adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string; disconnectible coupling means connecting said mandrel member to said body member, whereby rotation and longitudinal movement of said mandrel member is transmittable to said body member, said coupling means being disconnectible to allow said mandrel member to move relative to said body member; an inner packing structure in said passage between said mandrel member and body member; a first abutment on said mandrel member engaging lan end portion of said inner packing structure; a second abutment on said mandrel member engaging the other end portion of said inner packing structure; means on said body member engageable with said first abutment to prevent its rotation; and means interconnecting said mandrel member with said first abutment whereby -rotation of said mandrel member shifts said second abutment toward said first abutment to shorten said inner packing structure and seal said inner packing structure against said body member and mandrel member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,765,852 10/1956 lBrown 166-119 2,825,410 3/1958 Brown 166-139 2,884,072 4/-1959 Brown 166--139 3,055,431 9/11962 Clark et al 166-140 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WELL PACKER ADAPTED TO BE SET IN A CONDUIT DISPOSED IN A WELL BORE: A BODY; SLIP INSTRUMENTALITIES ON SAID BODY; AN EXPANDER ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SLIP INSTRUMENTALITIES TO EXPAND SAID SLIP INSTRUMENTALITIES AGAINST THE CONDUIT; AN INITIALLY RETRACTED PACKING STRUCTURE ON SAID BODY HAVING ONE END PORTING ENGAGING SAID EXPANDER; ABUTMENT MEANS ON SAID BODY ENGAGING THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID PACKING STRUCTURE; AND MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID BODY AND EXPANDER WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID BODY WITHIN SAID EXPANDER SHIFTS SAID BODY LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID EXPANDER TO SHIFT ABUTMENT MEANS TOWARD SAID EXPANDER TO EXPAND SAID PACKING STRUCTURE AGAINST THE CONDUIT. 